APAS President Ian Boxall. (submitted photo/APAS)

By Alice McFarlane

Right to Repair

Saskatchewan group speaks on a farmer’s right to repair

Dec 6, 2022 | 3:57 PM

MELFORT, Sask. – The president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) spoke to amendments to the Copyright Act before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and Technology yesterday.

Ian Boxall said Bill C-244 is important because it speaks to a producer’s right to repair farm machinery. A key principle in the bill is to allow farmers access to the software and computer programs being used in their equipment.

“Our machinery has become more technically advanced in the last few decades and has made us world leaders in sustainability, growing the most sustainable food, fuel, and fibre. We are 30 years ahead of everyone else,” Boxall added. “This, however, means that we have very high machinery costs, and we need to be able to fix our own machinery so we can control our costs and get back to work.”

Boxall told the committee Saskatchewan has the largest farms, and the shortest growing season in the country which means time is important.

“Each day we lose in the field can affect the quality, and quantity of the crops that we grow. If we can’t get our machinery fixed and running, it costs both farmers and consumers,” Boxall said.

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Farm equipment dealers can remotely log in and diagnose problems. That only works if you have adequate cell service, according to Boxall.

“In areas of the province where you don’t have cell service and you bought that equipment with that technology, it doesn’t work,” Boxall said. “So yes, farmers need to be able to diagnose problems and find out what’s wrong.”

Boxall said he felt his concerns were heard by the committee and they agreed that is the right of the person who owns the equipment to make the necessary repairs.

“I don’t want to discount the manufacturers who have done a great job of developing the technology we use now in our equipment, but by the same token we need to be able to do repairs in the most effective and efficient manner possible,” Boxall said.

An act to amend the Copyright Act was introduced in February and passed the second reading Oct. 5.

The committee has now concluded its study of the bill. Boxall said APAS will make a submission to the federal government in the new year to further clarify and state its support for a farmer’s right to repair their machinery.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW